JPD S RFI.pdf

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Request for Information (RFI) Evaluation of Available Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) JPD Squad Hand-Held/Wearable Joint Personal Dosimeter – Squad (JPD-S)

W911SR-25-R-JPDS

1. DISCLAIMER:

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT

INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS SOURCES SOUGHT OR TO

OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response.

This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this RFI is voluntary;

the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on https://sam.gov/ or released through the CWMD Consortium or Program Office may utilize an existing GSA or DLA contract. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

This request for information is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or Request for Proposal (RFP), or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Your responses to this RFI will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or Government use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or part, any contractor input resulting from this RFI. The information resulting from this RFI may be included in one or more RFP's, which may be released via the https://sam.gov/ portal or through the CWMD Consortium.

The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.

All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned.

Proprietary, confidential, privileged commercial or financial information submitted in the RFI response should be marked accordingly to ensure appropriate handling and disposition by the Government. No classified information shall be submitted in the RFI response. Only Government personnel will have access to information marked as proprietary unless an NDA has been put in place.

The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s capabilities. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.

The results of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement, if in the future a requirement materializes. Based on the responses to this RFI/market research, this requirement may be set aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. If it is decided to issue a RFP, Multiple awards may be made. All small business

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set-aside categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions.

2. INTRODUCTION:

The Joint Product Leader for Radiological Nuclear Defense (JPdL-RND) has teamed with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Nuclear Technologies Department (DTRA-NT) to post this RFI for market research and planning purposes. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP or Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). This RFI does not obligate the JPdL-RND Program Office, which is under JPM CBRN Sensor at APG (Edgewood) to contract for any supply or service. JPdL-RND is not at this time seeking proposals.

Respondents are advised that the JPdL-RND/DTRA-NT Team will not pay for any costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. However, any subsequent Test and Evaluation (T&E) of submitted and/or USG procured JPD-S conducted by this office from about 01 September 2025 to the end of Q2 FY2026 will be accomplished at no cost to the Respondents. This testing will validate product performance capability per published product specification.

Performance versus temperature will be evaluated. However, operational temperature testing is not intended to damage the selected system. Following any storage, the system shall be allowed to acclimatize to the operating temperatures.

This Program Office Team intends to acquire through direct purchase up to 5 to 7 of each selected COTs dosimeter products. This acquisition will be accomplished by using existing USG contract vehicles. As anticipated T&E will generate data related to device capability, function and user feedback, any UNCLASSIFIED data will be shared with that vendor upon completion of all scheduled T&E. However, respondents will receive test results for their system(s) only, after conclusion of all testing and data analysis. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP or BAA. If a solicitation is released, it will be released via the Government-Wide Port of Entry (GPE) at https://sam.gov/or through the CWMD Consortium.

It is the responsibility of the potential respondents to monitor the websites for any information that may pertain to this RFI. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All RFI document submissions become the property of the JPdL- RND Program Office and will not be returned.

The information provided in response to this RFI may be used to assess market capabilities;

discover alternate or improved technologies or concepts; determine the technical maturity and commercial availability of potential solutions; and support future planning.

The JPdL-RND/DTRA-NT Team will utilize support contractors to review the RFI feedback.

Respondents are advised that information submitted to the Government in response to this RFI may be released to non-Government personnel during the review process. Those submitting to this RFI will be asked to consent to release of relevant proprietary, confidential, or privileged commercial or financial data provided to non-Government personnel for review and analysis:

However, prior to these reviews, if requested NDAs will be established to preclude unintentional information release. Any Respondent wishing to enter into a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

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shall state so in their response to the RFI. The Government Contracting Office will coordinate the transfer of the NDA.

Respondents may only submit multiple variants if they possess different detector technologies or algorithms, up to 3 unique variants from each respondent may be considered.

Commercially available systems with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of at least 8 will be given priority for selection. However, designs considered to be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to 9, which incorporate use of mature proven technologies will be considered. An extract of the DoD TRL definitions is included as an attachment.

Potential NAICS Code: 334519 Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing PSC Code: 6665 Hazard-Detecting Instruments and Apparatus

3. Operational Context Summary

Ionization radiation occurs naturally and is increasingly used in civilian applications. The possibility of a nuclear battlefield increases the possibility of Service Members receiving total doses above the public health guidelines. Managing total dose is a part of the commander’s responsibility for force protection. As part of the risk management process, applying radiation safety mitigation measures should act in concert with other risk mitigation measures to minimize the overall risk. The highest risk of significant casualties will usually occur from the conventional weapons threat.

Understanding all risks involved is vital to a commander’s decision-making process. Accurate and timely radiation dose information is part of the commander’s decision calculus in determining over operational risk. The total cumulative dose is most accurately determined by using a dosimeter. All personnel who have received radiation exposure during operations should be evaluated by medical personnel, and appropriate entries documented in their individual medical record In Accordance With (IAW) multi-Service tactics, techniques, and procedures, ATP 3.8.1 Volume I CBRN Defense on Operations. Field dosimetry systems are fielded to those units that have a requirement to track the radiation dose of their personnel.

The Joint Personal Dosimeter (JPD) is a collection of devices consisting of active and passive dosimeters, and possibly a reader. All serve to allow determination of the absorbed dose and the equivalent dose which an individual Service member receives from exposure to ionizing radiation. Once absorbed dosage information is collected in the field, the intent is to return each dosimeter and/or generated data to the Army Dosimetry Center in the U.S. where the stored data will be transferred, as required.

This Program Office is seeking:

The technological solution for the next generation dosimeter/dose rate meter to replace the AN/UDR-13, which is currently fielded.

Technological solutions for the next generation of hand-held and/or wearable real-time radiation dosimeter. The dosimeter will measure gamma-neutron dose rate and accumulated-absorbed dose, including prompt dose. A hand-held/wearable device is one that weighs less than 2 to 4 pounds.

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Technological solutions that provide secure data transfer (LAN and wireless) and real-time readout and perform self-diagnostics during startup prior to use.

A unit that is “re-settable”, has adjustable alarms, provides both audible and visual feedback to the user, is near-maintenance-free, and has a function that restricts users to only authorized personnel.

Systems that undergo a “self-diagnostic” routine at startup. Preferably this routine includes an internal calibration step.

Handheld equipment that can meet most or all of a range of Performance Specifications (P- Specs) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Specifications, such as detailed in paragraph 5.0 and as included in any attachments to this RFI. A copy of P-Specs for the UDR-13 and those considered for the selected JPD-Squad are included as attachments.

Systems that are relatively light, easy to use, mobile, and of sufficiently low cost to support widespread deployment. Suggested SWaP, ease of use and costing details are provided in the P-Specification.

System designs are unconstrained. Selection priority is to be given to systems considered Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or Government Off-the-Shelf (GOTS). However, designs considered to be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to 9, which incorporate use of mature proven technologies will be considered. A copy of DoD’s Technology Readiness Assessment Guidebook is included as an attachment.

However, if responders intend to a solution using helium-3 based neutron dosimeters, it’s reminded that SWaP constraints yet still must be met.

4. Description of Program:

The primary focus of the JPD-S Market Survey Program is to evaluate various COTS technologies to measure level of local radioactivity, provide dose rates and log total dose for users. Planned testing of the detection systems will use unshielded radioactive test sources, as well as shielding and masking test scenarios. Testing will be conducted in multiple phases, on a sequential basis. In general, the phases of testing will include nondestructive EMI, dose and dose-rate measurements and evaluation of any Network Communication capability.

Following review of the RFI responses, the Government anticipates notifying the Respondent(s) if the evaluated system(s) have been accepted no later than sixty days after RFI closing. If selected Respondent(s) who voluntarily intend to temporarily transfer possession of system to the U.S. Government will do so using a Bailment Agreement. A sample Bailment Agreement is attached. Other systems will be directly procured via existing contract vehicles available to the Program Office. Regardless, the intension is to acquire a minimum of five (5) of each selected system, such that they arrive in the Government’s possession by 1 July 2025.

System(s) shipment should include Technical Manuals and/or Operating Instructions for each variant. It is reminded that all units will undergo a rigorous T&E program.

Respondent(s) shall NOT have the opportunity to witness testing or visit the facility.

5. REQUESTED INFORMATION OF INTEREST

Respondents shall provide the following information on each selected COTS system:

The Respondent name, address, Testing Point of Contact, email and telephone number.

A brief description and development history of the dosimeter, to include; current market share and number of units sold as of the date of the submission.

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Calibration requirements, including recommended time between calibrations, ease of calibration and cost of calibration.

Cost including unit price and warranty Details regarding any licensing requirement at procurement, to operate and any renewal requirement.

Ability to meet all or part of the requirements detailed in the Performance Specification (P-

Spec) which is included as an attachment to this RFI. Can the items satisfy the Government’s requirements "as is" or after modification either minor or significant?

Ability to meet all or part of the requirements detailed in ANSI 42.17AC. Can the items satisfy the Government’s requirements "as is" or after modification either minor or significant?

Ability to meet all or part of the requirements detailed in ANSI 13.11 (Active). Can the items satisfy the Government’s requirements "as is" or after modification either minor or significant?

Ability to meet all or part of the requirements detailed in ANSI 42.42, Can the items satisfy the Government’s requirements "as is" or after modification either minor or significant?

Ability to meet all or part of the requirements detailed in ANSI 42.34 (2021). Can the items satisfy the Government’s requirements "as is" or after modification either minor or significant?

Approach used to communicate with external processors, i.e. wireless, LAN, etc. and what connectors are used, i.e. USB, IEEE, etc.

Does the proposed system identify a confidence level? If yes, please specify how the confidence levels are defined.

Data rights included (i.e. Intellectual Property of Software).

Do you have a published commercial price list for your item? If yes, please provide the web link and/or a copy of published priced list and if the suggested price of the system as commercially sold, includes warranty cost, if applicable.

Explain how the system will be operated in the field (i.e., proposed conduct/concept of operations). Include the number and type of personnel needed to execute operations.

The system’s user manual and/or Operating Manual Describe the technology use in the dosimeter design. Include characteristics and capabilities of the technology, detection and identification capabilities, and compliance with applicable ANSI standards, such as N13.11, N42.33, N42.43, N42.53, N42.35, or N42.38 as appropriate. Also, describe the self-calibration capability of the detector.

Describe the gamma and neutron radiation detection capability, which includes information on minimum/maximum absorbed/effective dose and dose rate capabilities and other related energy response specifications.

including type of material and size/volume.

Describe the data file storage and transmission capability.

Describe the operating system.

Describe the overall maintenance strategy, periodic calibration needs and how the status of health of the equipment will be recorded, maintained/transmitted, and used in maintenance of the devices.

If available, include supplementary information, such as:

o Any test reports (e.g., independent third party, gov’t testing, internal testing, etc.), if available. Any test reports should include the test date, test location, system configuration/version under test (tests of the same model and software version are

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considered more credible than those of a similar model or different software version than that of the device offered; vendors must explain how previous tests of different models and/or software version apply to the device offered), test plans, and test data/results. The test facility’s qualifications in performing the test (i.e., certification, accreditation, etc.) should also be listed.

o Any other information that would be applicable to the intent of this RFI.

Describe how the system was designed to address cyber security.

Describe how the system was designed to address ruggedness for field use. Consider specifications listed in MIL STD 810H and MIL STD 461G in addressing this description.

6. SUBMISSION, PAGE LIMITATION AND DUE DATES

DUE DATE: Questions and submissions shall be submitted in writing to both Point of Contacts listed below.

Respondents shall provide the following information on each proposed system NLT 10 June 2025:

The Offeror name, address, Testing Point of Contact, email and telephone number.

NAICS Code A brief description, development history and current market of the dosimeter, to include the number of units sold as of the date of the submission Calibration requirements, including recommended time between calibrations, ease of calibration and cost of calibration, if applicable.

The suggested per unit price of the system, as commercially sold to include warranty cost and price breaks for quantity, if applicable. NOTE: Cost is a significant factor and may be used to eliminate a device from consideration for testing.

A completed copy of the attached self-assessment template

If selected to be included in this program, to further support the military operator assessment, Respondents will be required to provide a Safety Assessment Report (SAR), any applicable Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and a Health Hazard Assessment Report (HHAR). More information on these reports will be provided upon notification of acceptance.

Primary Point of Contact for Questions, written submissions, and notification of shipment and tracking number shall be emailed as follows:

Jemel Hogan US Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Edgewood Division 8456 Brigade Street APG (Edgewood), MD 21010-5401 email: jemel.m.hogan.civ@army.mil

Responses should be submitted as indicated above and, at a minimum should include: RFI title, company name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, website address (if

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available), and type of business (large or small), DUNS number, Cage Code, Facility clearance (Yes or No), information paper addressing the areas of interest listed above, brochures, published technical specifications, and any available 3rd party performance verification. Please identify if your business is eligible for any established USG acquisition program. (The name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with a US Government representative should also be included.

The JPdL-RND Program Office appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources, including but not limited to, private or public companies, universities, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and/or other laboratories.

For clarification purposes ONLY, there may be requests for oral presentation sessions from respondents, after receipt and initial assessment of written responses.

Responses to this RFI shall be submitted in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Responses are due 10 June 2025, 5 PM Eastern Standard Time. Please include the RFI title and sequence number

The Program Office reserves the right to review late submissions but makes no guarantee to the order of or possibility for review of late submissions. Please be advised that although all submitted hardware will be returned to respondents, all submitted documents become the property of JPdL-RND and will not be returned.

Responses to this RFI may be assessed by Government technical experts drawn from staff within JPM CBRN Sensors and other Federal offices and agencies. The Government may use selected government support contractor personnel to assist in the review of RFI responses.

Thus, any proprietary information should be marked so as to allow “DISTRIBUTION C or D”.

These support contractors will be bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary information.

7. Special Notices:

JPL-RND and DTRA may use their supporting government contractors or other third-parties to test and review the RFI submissions and acquired systems. Any Offeror wishing to enter into a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with these parties shall state so in their response to the RFI.

The Government Contracting Office will coordinate the transfer of the NDA.

Respondents are advised that the information submitted to the Government in response to the RFI may be released to non-Government personnel for review and analysis.

(a) Respondents shall complete the paragraphs below:

1) I understand technical data submitted to the Government in response to this RFI may be released to Non-US Government personnel as described in the paragraph above. I consent to the release of any proprietary, confidential or privileged commercial or financial data provided by the firm(s) named below in response to this RFI, to Non-Government personnel for review and analysis Firm: ________________ Name (individual authorized to commit firm): ______________ Title: ________________________________ Date of Execution: _______________________

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2) I understand that the dosimeters will be exposed to temperatures established by this RFI. Operational temperature testing is not intended to damage the dosimeter, when the exposed temperature does not go below ______________oF/o C and go above _______________________ oF/o C.

The RIID may be stored at temperatures of _______________oF/o C. Following storage, the RIID shall be allowed to acclimatize to the operating temperatures listed above.

Due to the availability of funding and test resources, the Government may at any time, cancel testing and return all systems to the Offerors. Any UNCLASSIFIED data recorded prior to cancellation will be provided to the Offeror.

Attached Documents:

Technology Readiness Level Definitions Extract Performance Specification UDR-13 Rev 3 20 July 2004 Expected Performance “Notional” Requirements/specifications Offeror’s Self-Assessment Template

Email all questions to the Contracting Officer, Jemel Hogan, email:

jemel.m.hogan.civ@army.mil, or Contract Specialist, Emily McGill, email:

emily.c.mcgill.civ@army.mil, no later than 15 May 2025.

All Offeror(s) must email their responses to this RFI to the Contracting Officer/Specialist no later than 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) 10 June 2025.